Evan Healy Blemish Treatment Kit

I’m not sure if it’s the wonky weather (it went from 70 degrees to 95 in less than a week) or if it’s the extra stress at work but lately my skin has really been breaking out. I decided to try a more natural routine and hit up my local Whole Foods for a good solution to my skin woes. After some help from the Whole Body assistant, I settled upon Evan Healy’s Blemish Treatment Kit – a seven to ten day treatment that promises to deep cleanses, detoxify and refine pores. Included in the kit is a Tea Tree Gel Cleanser, the Orange Blossom Facial Tonic, Rosehip Treatment Oil, Blemish Treatment Roll-On and Green Tea Clay. 

I’ve heard great things about both Tea Tree oil and Rosehip. Rosehip is credited for helping in reducing scars, healing eczema, soothing burns, re-hydrating skin, repairing damaged skin cells and reducing wrinkles. Tea Tree oil is known for its anti-fungal properties and is used for several skin ailments including acne.

I started my treatment on Saturday and hopefully in seven to ten days I’ll be looking at less irritated skin. Wish me luck!

n*

Booty Parlor

My sister, Nicole, works for a women’s magazine and gets all kinds of fun samples and swag. The latest samples she received (that she graciously shared with me, Thanks Nicole!) were products from Booty Parlor, a fun line that claims to be the “Beauty Parlor for you Sex Life.”

I got the Kissaholic Kissing Kit in both “Swoon” and “Faint.” Kissaholic is a revolutionary aphrodisiac-infused, two-step kissing kit featuring an aphrodisiac plumping lip gloss and an aphrodisiac cinnamint breath mist. I can’t really vouch for the aphrodisiac aspect of the gloss but I do know that my lips felt kissably soft and looked fantastic. I really like Swoon which is a dark berry color with blackberry and honey. The cinnamint breath mist is a cute addition but I honestly haven’t used it so much. I guess it would come in handy in I ran out of gum. 

I also got the Flirty Little Secret Luminizing Body Butter. The butter is jammed packed with good for you antioxidants and is infused with pure pearl pigment to give your body a healthy glow. And of course, the most important ingredient in the butter is Booty Parlor’s powerful Pheromone blend, an attraction agent that makes you irresistible to the opposite sex. Again, not sure if the Pheromones are working but I do love how this butter smells and how smooth it makes your skin. The pearly glow was an extra bonus. Plus I love the bottle the butter comes in – I’m a sucker for good packaging!

Last but not least is the Dust Up Kissable Body Shimmer – Crusin’ For a Bronzin’.  This body shimmer lightly dusts you with a sexy bronze sheen that’s subtle enough for every skin tone. Best of all, it smells and tastes exactly like cinnamon-sugar. I’ve never really used bronzing powder before but I really enjoyed this product. Plus the little powder puff made me feel way 1920’s glamour. The dusting powder is also available in Punch Drunk Pink and Don’t Call Me Honey.

Overall I really like this line with its great products and cute packaging. Give it a try, especially if you’re trying to snag someone with the use of pheromones and aphrodisiacs!

n*

A Great Deal

Mavens, I had to let you know about this great deal. Sephora is  offering a great deal called their Blockbuster Palette. Check it out – it’s only $48!

What it is:

The ultimate makeup palette for eyes, face, and lips, all you need for complete classic beauty.

What it does:
Create any look in the book, or your imagination, with the Sephora Brand Collector’s Edition Palette. This sleek all-in-one compact opens to reveal eyeshadow, blush, lip gloss, and powder on stackable, sliding trays. A selection of applicators and a mirror embedded under the lid of the compact give you all the tools to create a polished, expert look anytime, anywhere. Now you can make your look a personal masterpiece, from trendy to timeless, the sky’s the limit.

What else you need to know:
The Sephora Brand Collector’s Edition Palette sets the gold standard and gets you set. This palette has it all: 71 eyeshadow shades (0.04 oz each), 13 cream eyeshadow shades (0.03 oz each), 5 blushes (0.19 oz each), 1 compact powder (0.19 oz), 60 lip glosses (0.03 oz each), one lip liner, one eyeliner, 4 brushes, 3 sponge-tipped applicators, and a smart black case that’s as classy as you are.

Apparently you can create over 300,000 looks with just one palette – crazy, right?

Beauty Maven of the Week – Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez wore Versace at the 25th Annual Night of Stars hosted by Fashion Group International at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Thursday.  Not bad for a 39 year old mother of newly born twins!

Cellex-C

Hi Mavens,  I checked my mailbox today and was delighted to find my package arrived from  the Shopping Channel.  I’m so excited because I ordered Cellex-C’s hydrating kit which includes  a 30ml  serum, moisturizer, under eye toning gel, a B complex hydrator and a smaller 15 ml bottle of serum.  I first read about this product in a magazine and it claims to work miracles but then again, don’t they all? 

The other night I was laying in bed watching T.V. when I flicked to the Shopping Channel and they were talking about this product.  They had a picture of the Dr. who created the product’s face showing where he used the products on 1 side of his face for 6 months and WOW!  What a difference - he looked like he had a stroke!  One side of his face was saggy and wrinkled while the side that he used the Cellex-C on  was tight, lifted and wrinkle free!  His face looked lopsided.  I was sold, i grabbed my credit card and made  the call.  I’m starting it tonight, and will let you know in 4 weeks how it goes.

vettie

Lighten Up!

Discoloration of the skin or “Hyper-pigmentation” is caused by a few different things:

1. Sun damage which cause freckles and sun spots
2. Hormornal changes brought on by birth control or pregnancy
3. Blemishes

There are a lot of products that promise to lighten and remove spots but I have yet to find one that actually works.  I noticed that some top cosmetic lines now have brightening serums and creams which promise to brighten up the complexion and minimize spots. And of course, being the product junkie that I am, I had to try a few. 

The first one I tried was the Kiehls Brightening Botanical line which I loved.  My skin looked bright and glowed, but I didn’t notice a big change in my dark spot – yes I only have one, but it doesn’t make it any less annoying than if my face were covered.

The next one I tried was Biotherm White Detox which promises the same as the Kiehls products.  I really like this line, it left me with  brighter skin and the price was a lot cheaper.  I beleive that with continuous use I will see the results that I’m looking for.

Are there any lightening products that use that you love?  What about natural remedies?  You know you have to share with us!

 

vettie

Beauty Maven of The Week

Up and coming recording artist Keri Hilson looked lovely at the BET Awards.  I f you haven’t heard her yet she’s about to blow up!

vettie

Glowing Results

A new dietary supplement called Glowelle claims that with regular use, your skin will be brighter and glowier. It’s a drink that comes in liquid and powder form – sort of like those Crystal Light sticks you pour into your water bottle – and is filled with Vitamins A, C and E, plus other good-for-you extracts like pomegranate, green tea, and goji berry. Their list of ingredients is backed up by a very impressive-looking thesis-style bibliography of studies on the substances.

 

At Neiman Marcus, a 30-day supply costs $112 – about $3.75 per packet. The 7-day pack costs $40.

Glowelle comes in two flavors and the powder packet only has 50 calories.

What do you think? Would you shell out the big bucks for a miracle powder?

n*

Jo Malone Sweet Lime & Cedar

Jo Malone is adding an exotic note to its fragrance portfolio this month. 

Jo Malone’s new Sweet Lime & Cedar cologne was reportedly inspired by Thai food — the notes include sweet lime, jasmine, ylang ylang, coconut, tonka bean, pandanus leaf, tamarind, cardamom and cedar — and that’s fine with me: I love Thai food.

The Estée Lauder Cos.-owned brand will introduce Sweet Lime & Cedar Cologne, a scent inspired by Thai cuisine, in the U.S., the U.K. and Canada. It will be rolled out to international markets starting in March.

“The fragrance has been designed for both men and women,” said Dominic De Vetta, Jo Malone’s global general manager. “Word of mouth has begun and we are thrilled to have waiting lists in many stores.”

Jo Malone has always been hit or miss with me but I have to say that I really enjoyed this scent. It is quite woody which might make it too masculine for some women but I think you’d enjoy it if you love cedar-laden fragrances. If you get a chance to try it out let me know what you think.

n*

Beauty Maven of the Week – Anna Friel

I’ve been a fan on ABC’s Pushing Daisies since it first appeared last season. I love the fantasy of the whole story and the scenery is always so colorful and vibrant. Anna Friel plays adorable Charlotte “Chuck” Charles and quite honestly I don’t know much about her except that I love the character that she plays on the show and she’s British. So voila – Beauty Maven of the Week!

If you haven’t already, check out the show. It’s really cute.

n*